Pruning guide
How to prune barbecue rosemary
More barbecue rosemary care
- How to prune rosemary — the species this cultivar belongs to
- How to prune barbecue rosemary — our other guide for the same plant
- Full barbecue rosemary care guide
- Common barbecue rosemary problems & fixes
- How to propagate barbecue rosemary
- When to repot barbecue rosemary
Pruning barbecue rosemary — FAQ
When should I prune barbecue rosemary?
Late spring after flowering, and lightly throughout the growing season during harvest. Snip soft, leafy stem tips back by up to one-third, cutting just above a leaf node or side shoot. Avoid cutting into the thick, grey-brown woody base — always leave green foliage below your cut point.
How often does barbecue rosemary need pruning?
Lightly every few weeks during the growing season; one shaping cut after flowering. Rosemary benefits from regular pruning to maintain bushy shape and prevent woody, bare stems. Trim after flowering to encourage fresh growth and harvest stems freely throughout the growing season. Never cut back into old wood below the green foliage — rosemary rarely regenerates from leafless woody sections. Light, frequent harvesting is far better than occasional hard cuts.
How do you prune barbecue rosemary?
Snip soft, leafy stem tips back by up to one-third, cutting just above a leaf node or side shoot. Avoid cutting into the thick, grey-brown woody base — always leave green foliage below your cut point.